Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com tweeted Thursday that the Packers are "trying to hammer out a new deal" with Burnett, the fourth-year defender who's started 32 straight games for the Packers. Burnett, in the final year of his rookie deal, is due $1.323 million in 2013.

Burnett's improved play factored into a Packers defense that went from dead last in the NFL in 2011 to 11th one season ago. In the process, Burnett, a third-round draft pick in 2010, graded out as the NFL's 16th best safety, per ProFootballFocus.com.

Burnett is part of the long-term plan in Green Bay. McCarthy has preached all offseason about building a faster, more rugged defense that can hold up to the league's pass-heavy attacks and contain the read-option. They'll be tested immediately in the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers -- who fried the Pack in the playoffs -- and it gets no easier in Week 2, when the Washington Redskins come to town.